My patch-work home theatre

[Volpone]

I moved into an apartment a while back and, as such, had to change everything I had going on stereo wise. I sold off basically everything I had except for a few things to put a minimalist set-up together.

TV: 40" Samsung 530 series LCD
Receiver: Denon DRA-37
Speakers: Occam Audio FR4's; these were originally just for the computer
Sources: Xbox 360, Audio Technic turntable (can't recall the model), SaskTel cable w/ PVR, and my HTPC.

Here's the computer set-up.

Intel Q6700 - 2.66 gHz
4 x 1024 MB DDR2 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
2 x 500 GB internal HDD
3 x 1 TB Western Digital My Book Essential external HDD
HDDVD/BD/DVD/CD drive
20" HP w2007 LCD

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/xxPunk0Ramaxx/P1000182.jpg


I run a dual-screen set-up between my computer LCD and the TV. The video signal is sent out over HDMI from the computer's video card to the Samsung, and over DVI to the HP. Because the Denon DRA-37 is an older model, I send the audio signal to it through an M-Audio MobilePre soundcard and then into the receiver with RCA's.

As software, I run Media Portal (http://www.team-mediaportal.com/) with the MovingPictures theme. Since I have about 1.5 TB of HD movies downloaded, 0.5 TB of HDTV, and 1 TB of music, it is important that I can access these easily.

This is what the main screen looks like.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/xxPunk0Ramaxx/P1000208.jpg


This is what it looks like when I look through the movies on the computer. A nice background, a description on the left, and a scrollable list of movies on the right hand side.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/xxPunk0Ramaxx/P1000215.jpg


What it looks like scrolling through the list of artists.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/xxPunk0Ramaxx/P1000217.jpg


Listening to an album.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y249/xxPunk0Ramaxx/P1000220.jpg





Now I'm not particularly satisfied with where I'm at. Though this as a media experience is much better than I'm accustomed to, the following are my plans for the near future. I just haven't decided if I should do them before moving to Vancouver, or wait until then.

- Replace speakers with GedLee speakers: Abbey 12 Mains, and Harper 8 Surrounds
- Replace stereo receiver with a/v receiver that can handle 1080p through HDMI inputs; this will allow me to run a single HDMI capable from the HTPC to the receiver over which all audio and video will be transferred; it will also allow me to enjoy the full experience of my movies with 5 channels instead of 2
- Add subwoofer; haven't decided if I'm going to buy something or have something built for me just to be cool
- Wire clean-up; I'll be doing it shortly anyways, but once I get all the new parts together, I will be re-installing everything so that I can run the wires properly
- As always, find affordable and simple ways to add more and more HDD space
- Run my normal television through the HTPC; I have a Hauppauge HVR-1800, so right now I can run and capture standard definition through that, as well as ATSC HD content; the problem is that I want to be able to run and capture HD through HDMI (sadly, there are no cards that take an HDMI input), and there is no ATSC content in my area; this will change when I move to Vancouver
- The Harmony Universal One remote; I have 3 remotes I use right now (TV, Receiver, and HTPC) and this would allow me to simplify, as well as customize actions that would be very handy for running Media Portal
- Either start using an emulator on the computer for video games, or I might find a way to attractively include all the old systems I have already; the only reason the emulator is more attractive is the simplicity and efficiency of it, but I have to be careful to keep processes to a minimum so I can process the large video streams that accompany HD content


And if anyone else has ideas or suggestions, please let me know.

[Spider Monkey]

Wire management. You're doing it wrong.

[slim8605]

Oh my..

[IDSkot]

I like it. I'm thinking about doing this, too. However, I just have a SDTV with shitty speakers. I need to buy a processor so I can control it externally, plug in my PC to them, too. How big are those externals? I'm looking into buying a 1tb internal. If I get that, I will be so happy. I'm constantly having to delete shit. With that I could actually KEEP movies. *gasp*

I can't say that your speakers are impressive though.
'cause they aren't.

[tapout]

+1

[pl8er]

I like it. Although I prefer to keep all of my data on a server and just map the drives to all the computers in the house. This lets you save the data in one location, gives you the ability to mirror our important data and cuts down on clutter (and for me more importantly noise).

A "server" can be built rather cheap these days.

[tapout]

I like this Media Portal. Imma give it a try. Thanks

[tapout]

HDDVD/BD/DVD/CD drive


I also like this.

Whats the deal with your HTPC remote? I've been using a bluetooth kb and mouse.

[pl8er]

Yeah, why mediaportal wasn't added to the cool/helpful software thread. Very cool stuff!

[IDSkot]

Gimme access to your server.
I'll upload my music, and we can share massive amounts of music.

[bluecar]

What speakers do you have now?

[ngsm13]

Gimme access to your server.
I'll upload my music, and we can share massive amounts of music.

He doesn't need you.

:fyi:

nG

[ngsm13]

What speakers do you have now?

;)...

TV: 40" Samsung 530 series LCD
Receiver: Denon DRA-37
Speakers: Occam Audio FR4's; these were originally just for the computer
Sources: Xbox 360, Audio Technic turntable (can't recall the model), SaskTel cable w/ PVR, and my HTPC.

nG

[JimJ]

How are those WD drives? Not too noisy?

I need to pick up a 1TB drive for FLAC, I'm running out of room badly.

In case my ratio on What ever gets better :(

[JimJ]

Gimme access to your server.
I'll upload my music, and we can share massive amounts of music.

Are you 100% FLAC? :)

[Volpone]

I got the ball rolling a bit today. Unplugged most of the wires and will be re-routing them shortly.

Also ordered 7x 1.5 TB internal HDD's today and a case. I will be building a server to replace the WD externals I have now.

Jim: The externals have worked well from day one. When not actively running, they're very quiet, and when running they're not often noticeable. My 360, on the other hand.....

Speakers: I used to have the CSS FR125's in a few different applications. I had used them in a MLTL, a Pawo(?) horn with a wider mouth and more space in the chamber behind the driver, and OB. In the meanwhile, I got the Occam Audio FR4's for pretty cheap to use with the computer only. Once I moved to the apartment, I didn't want to carry 4 different speakers with me, so I kept the smallest footprint. I had been saving for a 3.5 way design with the Scan-Speak Revelators, but I decided I would rather try something a bit different and go with the GedLee (http://www.gedlee.com) stuff.

[pl8er]

I got the ball rolling a bit today. Unplugged most of the wires and will be re-routing them shortly.

Also ordered 7x 1.5 TB internal HDD's today and a case. I will be building a server to replace the WD externals I have now.

Jim: The externals have worked well from day one. When not actively running, they're very quiet, and when running they're not often noticeable. My 360, on the other hand.....

Speakers: I used to have the CSS FR125's in a few different applications. I had used them in a MLTL, a Pawo(?) horn with a wider mouth and more space in the chamber behind the driver, and OB. In the meanwhile, I got the Occam Audio FR4's for pretty cheap to use with the computer only. Once I moved to the apartment, I didn't want to carry 4 different speakers with me, so I kept the smallest footprint. I had been saving for a 3.5 way design with the Scan-Speak Revelators, but I decided I would rather try something a bit different and go with the GedLee (http://www.gedlee.com) stuff.


What RAID controller do you plan to use? Also, which RAID configuration are you going to run?

Also, I'm jealous :P That is a shit ton of space!

also :clap: much better solution than externals. Put the server someplace cool and dry and remote into it through your other computers...or use teamviewer if you need any help, just ask, I have all kinds of stuff. A NAS needs REALLY little in terms of processing power. Just a decent amount of ram, an ok proc and a very good raid controller and power supply

[IamDeMan]

What RAID controller do you plan to use? Also, which RAID configuration are you going to run?

Also, I'm jealous :P That is a shit ton of space!

also :clap: much better solution than externals. Put the server someplace cool and dry and remote into it through your other computers...or use teamviewer if you need any help, just ask, I have all kinds of stuff. A NAS needs REALLY little in terms of processing power. Just a decent amount of ram, an ok proc and a very good raid controller and power supply

nDeed. I couldn't live without oneand I am also jealous at the space his will have.

[ngsm13]

Hit me up if you get rid of those external 1TB drives...!!!

nG

[JimJ]

Hit me up if you get rid of those external 1TB drives...!!!

nG

Hey!

I just need one...:D

[ngsm13]

Cool, I'll take two... you take one...

If he's getting rid of them.

nG

[IDSkot]

Are you 100% FLAC? :)

I can be. =|

[ngsm13]

No.

nG

[tapout]

How are those WD drives? Not too noisy?

I need to pick up a 1TB drive for FLAC, I'm running out of room badly.

In case my ratio on What ever gets better :(

I had a WD at one time that was not noisy at all. It did, however, quit qorking after 6 months. I suspect that keeping it on 27/7/180 had something to do with it though.

[JimJ]

That's how I'd be using it :(

Music server stays on all the time.

[IamDeMan]

My server has never used anything but WD drives. Never had a failure. You will find lemons with any mfg though.

[pl8er]

That's how I'd be using it :(

Music server stays on all the time.

Go RAID, unless you already have a backup...drives are just too cheap not to at least run a mirror.

My server has never used anything but WD drives. Never had a failure. You will find lemons with any mfg though.

I'm not actually too picky on namebrand although all of my primary drives are raptors.

Seagate and WD for all the servers though. I've not had a drive go down in a long time. Of course, if they do, its just pulling it, plugging in a new one, the array rebuilds in a few hours and back to business as if nothing happened.

[tapout]

My server has never used anything but WD drives. Never had a failure. You will find lemons with any mfg though.

coulda been some error on my part as well. It was not in a cool environment and got a little dusty. I would guess that was the issue.

[IamDeMan]

Go RAID, unless you already have a backup...drives are just too cheap not to at least run a mirror.



I'm not actually too picky on namebrand although all of my primary drives are raptors.

Seagate and WD for all the servers though. I've not had a drive go down in a long time. Of course, if they do, its just pulling it, plugging in a new one, the array rebuilds in a few hours and back to business as if nothing happened.

I just stick with what has worked for me. It is obvious that others are equal. I just stick with it until disappointed.

RAID5 with a proper hardware RAID controller is the only way imo.

[pl8er]

I just stick with what has worked for me. It is obvious that others are equal. I just stick with it until disappointed.

RAID5 with a proper hardware RAID controller is the only way imo.

Yeah, I can't argue with that. I usually stick with what works best as well. Working in the semiconductor area, I have a pretty good amount of data on each manufacturer (most are decent, but the Fujitsu drives have been the suxor lately)

And YES YES YES....my god almight YES RAID5 and a good controller is the ONLY way.

Don't go into HUGE array's and not back the shit up with a proper array. Raid5 is easiest but a RAID50 could prove to be the best with this many drives.

[JimJ]

So simply having a single drive and a remote backup isn't the best way?

I don't need a multiple TB array, 1TB is realistically all my torrent ratios could support right now, so I was thinking of just having a TB drive and another as a complete backup.

[pl8er]

So simply having a single drive and a remote backup isn't the best way?

I don't need a multiple TB array, 1TB is realistically all my torrent ratios could support right now, so I was thinking of just having a TB drive and another as a complete backup.

Actually, that is perfect in your situation. Raid1 would be the way to go.

His situation is different because of the number of drives he is talking about.